SA President Cyril Ramaphosa Endorses Bathu, A Local Sneaker Brand
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa Endorses Bathu, A Local Sneaker Brand. South African entrepreneur and founder of Bathu Theo Baloyi took to Twitter to thank the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa for endorsing his sneaker brand. The president can be seen wearing the Bathu sneakers in a video posted by Baloyi.
The post read, “The first citizen in #Bathu @bathu_sa ❤️🔥 #MojaX … “Walk Your Journey” 💫| Thank you Mr President 🇿🇦. @CyrilRamaphosa” Having the President endorse one’s business can be seen as an achievement as this is a something that not a lot of local entrepreneurs have managed to do. This endorsement will give Baloyi’s business exposure to President Ramaphosa’s social network and associates which may result in them willing to support the startup by following the lead of the President.
This also shows how the Bathu brand has grown over the last few years, Baloyi has managed to build a formidable business that is able to be recognised by the president as he has seen the potential it has to compete with international sneaker brands in the country. Through this more South Africans may be encouraged to support Baloyi’s brand as they would be supporting a proudly South African brand.
One of Baloyi’s goals when he started the sneaker brand was to inspire young people and to show them that building a business that is competent enough to compete with large corporations is possible. From someone who started selling the sneakers on his own to own owning over 20 retail stores and having the president endorse the brand shows that through hard work, determination and persistence such goals can be achieved.
The company describes the Bathu story as more than just a story of sneakers. It believes it is a story of owning one’s destiny, of staying true to who you are, of perseverance, of following one’s dreams and of doing something one is passionate about. This description shows that this is what led the company to the success it has reached.
